Pitroipa explains why late move to join Hughes' Stoke fell through

Monday 03 February 2014

Rennes winger Jonathan Pitroipa has confirmed that he almost made a move to the Premier League with Stoke on transfer deadline day, but explained why the deal fell through, reports Sky Sports.

Pitroipa looked set to move to the Britannia Stadium on loan, with a view to making the move a permanent €3m arrangement in the summer, with manager Mark Hughes keen to add the 27-year-old to his squad as a late addition in an effort to further the club’s bid to stave off a relegation battle.

Ultimately, Stoke failed to secure the former Hamburger star, also falling short in their efforts to capture Tom Ince and Lee Cattermole from Blackpool and Sunderland respectively. Ince moved to Crystal Palace on loan, and Cattermole stayed at the Stadium of Light, meaning the Potters manager was unable to welcome any new faces to the club on transfer deadline day.

Reports had suggested that Pitroipa’s agent had been the one to blame for the deal falling through, but the Burkina Faso international was keen to quell such stories – insisting it was representatives from his present club who were responsible for his Premier League move falling through.

According to L’Equipe, Pitroipa said: “Contrary to what has been said, it was not due to my agent that I didn't join Stoke, but due to intermediaries appointed by Rennes on that case.”

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